346. Building a Thriving Church Community with Jesse and Alexandra Ghoman

Live the Warrior's Life Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT) Episode Summary In this episode of The Rob Skinner Podcast / The 10X Christian Podcast, Rob explores what it means to move from studying the Christian life to living it with courage, conviction, and spiritual toughness. Inspired by the ancient warrior Telamon of Arcadia—who said, "It is one thing to study war and another to live the warrior's life"—Rob challenges listeners to stop approaching faith as theory and start embodying it as a daily battle fought with clarity, purpose, and courage. Drawing from 2 Timothy 4:5, Rob highlights Paul's charge to Timothy: Keep a clear mind Don't fear suffering Share the Good News Fully carry out the ministry God has assigned This episode calls believers to embrace the "warrior life" of discipleship—stepping into hard things, facing fear head-on, and living boldly for Christ. Key Points Studying faith is good—but living it is where transformation happens. Paul wrote 2 Timothy from prison, urging believers not just to talk about courage but to show it. Real discipleship is proven under pressure: in rejection, misunderstanding, spiritual battles, and perseverance. A 10X Christian chooses conviction over comfort and mission over fear. Living the warrior's life means stepping into ministry, sharing your faith, forgiving people, and acting even when afraid. Challenge of the Day Ask yourself: Am I studying faith, or living it? Take one bold step today: Share Jesus with someone Forgive someone Step into a ministry opportunity Do the hard thing God has placed in front of you A 10X Christian doesn't run from the fight—they stand firm, believing God has already won the battle. Scripture of the Episode 2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT): "But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you." How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast If you'd like to help support Rob's mission to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches, you can give a gift here: 👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner Enjoying the Podcast? Please take a moment to rate and review The 10X Christian on Amazon and wherever you listen to podcasts. Your review helps others discover the show.

Summary In this episode of The Rob Skinner Podcast, Jesse and Alexandra Ghoman share their inspiring journey of faith, love, and ministry. From their beginnings in faith to their marriage and transition to leading the Charleston Church, the Ghomans open up about the joys and challenges of ministry life. They discuss personal losses, leadership lessons, and the power of relationships in growing a vibrant church community. Their story is one of humility, perseverance, and faith — a powerful reminder that great ministry is built on love, teamwork, and trust in God's plan. Key Takeaways Jesse and Alexandra's unique journeys of faith and calling. The importance of deep relationships and authentic community in ministry. How to navigate challenges and losses in leadership. Proven strategies for church growth and community engagement. The role of humility and collaboration between evangelists and elders. Building a strong culture of leadership development. The power of faith to overcome obstacles. Creating an inviting and inspiring environment for families. The lasting impact of personal relationships on church health and growth. Dreaming big for the future — multiplication, vision, and legacy. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and Background 01:48 – Faith Journeys: Becoming Christians 06:21 – Meeting and Marrying: Jesse and Alexandra's Love Story 11:54 – Ministry Beginnings: From Boston to Charleston 15:38 – Transitioning to Charleston: Reasons for the Move 19:22 – Growing the Church: Strategies and Challenges 28:29 – Navigating Loss: Personal and Ministry Challenges 31:32 – Recognizing Unique Gifts in Leadership 34:35 – The Importance of Experience and Expertise 37:27 – Strategies for Raising Up Leaders 47:07 – Building Healthy Relationships with Elders 52:58 – The Value of Humility and Time in Leadership 56:13 – Intentional Friendships and Community Building 56:54 – Vision for the Future: Multiplication and Growth 01:02:10 – Making Life Count: Priorities and Legacy 🎧 Listen and Be Inspired! Discover more inspiring interviews, resources, and tools to help you grow your faith, leadership, and impact by visiting RobSkinner.com. How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast If you'd like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches, click here:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner 👉 Buy Me a Coffee And if you've read my book The 10X Christian, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Amazon — it helps others discover the message and multiply the impact!

How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast.  If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner   Michael and Angela DeAquino have a unique passion and ministry:  Coaching parents on how to raise their kids before their first child is born.  Hoping to avoid many of the pitfalls of parenting this couple with five kids believe that the earlier parents get help raising their kids, the better.  They recently wrote a book on the subject and are helping ministries prepare married couples to raise spiritual kids. More about Michael and Angela: Michael was born to Brazilian parents who immigrated to the U.S. and eventually settled in Chicago. His dad was trying to make ends meet and got involved in Amway for a time. One day, while knocking on doors in their apartment building, he met a group of disciples who were having a Bible talk. They invited him in, and not long after, both of Michael's parents became Christians in the Chicago church. Michael was six years old at the time. He grew up in the Chicago church and was part of an awesome youth ministry. At 14, he decided to become a disciple himself. After graduating high school in 2003, he joined the campus ministry in Champaign, IL. During his sophomore year, he visited a friend who attended Harding University and loved the atmosphere there. He transferred to Harding his junior year to pursue a Bible degree with a focus on Youth and Family Ministry. During his senior year, his former teen ministry leader from Chicago called and asked if he'd consider leading the campus ministry in Cincinnati. After graduating in 2007, Michael moved to Cincinnati to take on that role. Angela didn't grow up in the ICOC. She was first invited to church in fourth grade by her best friend Kelly, who invited her on the bus. Angela came on and off but eventually became a Christian her senior year of high school in 2006. She was part of the graduating class that moved from the teen ministry into the Cincinnati campus ministry in 2007, which is when Michael began leading it. We started dating in 2008 and got married in 2011. We had our first child in 2013 and today have five kids (one boy and four girls). In 2017, we were invited to interview for the Youth and Family Ministry position in Denver, Colorado. We moved there in 2018 and led the ministry for four years. In 2022, we transitioned out of full-time ministry. Angela now stays home and homeschools our kids, and Michael works full-time as a realtor here in Denver. The Parenthood Primer and The Parenthood Project Ministry After 11 years doing campus ministry, we noticed that many campus students who had been raised in our churches were struggling spiritually. The reason we decided to move to Denver to serve in Youth and Family Ministry was because we thought that if we could reach them earlier, in high school or middle school, we could help them be better prepared. But eventually, we realized the real need was to reach parents earlier. That insight led us to the idea of pre-parental counseling, helping couples prepare for parenting before they even have kids. We wrote a book called The Parenthood Primer: A Pre-Parental Counseling Workbook for Expecting Christian Couples. It is designed to help couples build a solid foundation for faith and family before their child arrives. We also started The Parenthood Project, a non-profit ministry that helps churches build young parent ministries. Many churches do a great job with teens, campus students, young professionals, and marrieds, but once people start having kids, they often lose that sense of community and support. Our goal is to help churches bridge that gap by equipping and encouraging young parents early on so their homes can be spiritually strong from the start. There are long-term benefits for churches and it's also a huge evangelistic opportunity. Our focus now is helping churches and parents build strong families before and during those early parenting years. We have a website where parents and churches can sign up for our online pre-parental counseling course, along with many other resources and opportunities. (We are currently involved in helping 13 churches.) Michael and Angela DeAquino

  The Rob Skinner Podcast: Releasing Your Spiritual Emergency Brake Keywords: spiritual growth, overcoming fear, faith, personal development, Christian life, release the emergency brake, live free, purpose, growth, no regrets Episode Summary In this inspiring episode, Rob Skinner unpacks the idea of spiritual growth through the vivid metaphor of an emergency brake. Just like a car can't move freely when the brake is engaged, many Christians struggle to move forward in faith because of hidden fears, doubts, or regrets. Rob challenges listeners to identify what's holding them back and to release those spiritual brakes through prayer, surrender, and renewed trust in God. This episode will help you live free, pursue your purpose, and experience the kind of faith that moves without hesitation or regret. Key Takeaways If you've ever felt held back spiritually, it's time to release the emergency brake in your life. A locked brake keeps even the most powerful engine from moving forward. When your spiritual brake is on, you can press the gas but make little progress. God calls you to throw off everything that hinders and run your race freely. Stop replaying the past — name it, pray about it, and let it go. A car wasn't designed to run with the brake on — and neither were you. God created you to move forward, unhindered, fully alive, and free in His purpose. Memorable Quotes "Whatever it is, name it. Pray about it." "The road ahead is wide open." "He created you to run free." Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Spiritual Growth 00:42 – The Emergency Brake Analogy 02:35 – Identifying What Holds You Back 04:25 – Moving Forward in Faith Support the Show If this episode encourages you, visit RobSkinner.com to learn more about Rob's mission to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. 💡 Help Support the Rob Skinner Podcast Join others who are helping spread this message of faith and purpose by visiting Buy Me a Coffee 👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner And don't forget to read and review The 10X Christian on Amazon — your feedback helps others grow in faith and discover the path to a 10X life!

The Rob Skinner Podcast: The Unmatched Work Ethic of Michael Jordan Keywords: Michael Jordan, work ethic, basketball, practice, excellence, team spirit, devotion, faith Episode Summary In this episode, Rob explores the legendary work ethic of Michael Jordan — a man whose devotion to practice and team success defined his greatness. Discover how Jordan's relentless drive, even in the face of injury, reveals powerful lessons about discipline, excellence, and spiritual growth. Rob connects Jordan's example on the court to how we can live lives of faith, focus, and devotion off the court. Key Takeaways Michael Jordan's practice habits were legendary. He prioritized practice over games and improvement over recognition. Jordan's devotion to his team was unmatched — even practicing when injured. Excellence in basketball, as in life, stems from daily dedication. Team success, not personal glory, was always his focus. His work ethic inspired everyone around him. Greatness is forged in practice, not performance. The same principles of devotion apply to our faith and walk with God. Memorable Quotes "MJ would practice like it was his last day." "Practice is more important than the games." "I'll practice when I'm hurt." Episode Chapters 00:00 – Rediscovering Devotion to Spiritual Practice 00:37 – Devotion: The Key to Spiritual Growth Support the Show If this episode inspires you, visit RobSkinner.com to learn more about Rob's mission to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. 💡 Help Support the Rob Skinner Podcast If you'd like to help Rob continue producing faith-building content, click here to contribute: 👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner And don't forget to read and review The 10X Christian on Amazon — your feedback helps others discover the message!

🎙️ Episode Title: The First 10X Christian In this episode, Rob Skinner shares the inspiring story of the first 10X Christian—a believer whose faith, courage, and obedience produced extraordinary spiritual impact. Rob explores what made this person's life so fruitful and how you can apply the same principles to multiply your influence for Christ. You'll learn: The key traits that define a 10X Christian How to move from ordinary to extraordinary in your walk with God Practical steps to grow in effectiveness and fruitfulness Whether you're a new believer or a seasoned disciple, this episode will encourage you to live boldly and make your life count for God's Kingdom. 🙌 How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches, click here: 👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner 📘 Read & Review The 10X Christian If you've enjoyed the podcast, please take a moment to read and review my book The 10X Christian on Amazon. Your review helps others discover the message and join the movement toward a more effective Christian life. #The10XChristian #RobSkinnerPodcast #ChristianGrowth #FaithInAction #MultiplyDisciples #Leadership #SpiritualGrowth #Discipleship #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney

How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast.  If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner Kolade Paul-Ajuwape has a big dream to reach the lost in Japan.  He graduated MIT in engineering and has spent his years after graduation doing missionary work all over the world.  His ultimate dream is to take the gospel to Japan and assist the church there in reaching the lost.  He spent the summer on a short term missionary trip to Tokyo and other cities in Japan reaching out to people.  Find out what he learned and his plans for the future.

How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast.  If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner Join Joel Peed, Joel Nagel, Pam Skinner as we talk about the third day of the Climb Conference in Lansing, Michigan.

How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast.  If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner   Join us as we talk about today's highlights from the Climb Conference 2025 day 2.  Special guest:  Chris Schwartzenberger from Spokane, Washington.

How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast.  If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner  I'm Rob Skinner and this is the Rob Skinner Podcast. Today, I'm talking to Will Thorne.  Will and his wife, Chelsea, lead the Boston Campus Ministry that had over 100 baptisms last year.  Find out what he's doing and how he got here. All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!   Questions 1.     How'd you become a Christian? 2.    How'd you meet Chelsea? 3.    I've heard your Dad's name many times over the years.  What does he do? 4.   Where have you been since you became a Christian? 5.    How did the door open for your to lead the Sydney, Australia church? 6.   What were some of the highs and lows of leading a church like that while relatively young? 7.   Why you leave Australia? 8.   How did you land in Boston? 9.   What's been going on in the campus ministry?  Where was it at when you started and what's it like now? 10.          What's your secret sauce?  Many kingdom kids fade or drift away or simply stagnate.  You chose to really dig in spiritually.  Why? 11.  I heard a rumor that you lost some weight, is that true?  How'd you do it? 12. I heard your son had a recent diagnosis.  Can you talk about it? 13. What are your dreams for the future?  Where do you see yourself in five years? What advice would you give to a person who wants to make his life count?